Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-03-28
Dealh of Mr. 0. III. Riehards.

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death by suicide of Mr.. o 81 Richards,
OF Elk Grove. The further facts in con-
nection with the sad event are as fol-
lows For some months proceeding
his death Mr.. Richards had been greatly
out of health. his nervous system seem
ing much disordered, and the trouble
manifesting itself in depression and
melancholy. A succession of misfor-
tunes. coming at such time, increased
his dependency. For several years be
had given much attention to the culture
OF fish 10 two large ponds which he had
constructed on his farm The spring
floods month ago swept away the en-
bankments of the ponds allowing all the
fish to escape. For year he had been
holding and feeding at great expense a
large lot of cattle, and about three
weeks ago he shipped them to the
Chicago market. His loss on them was
considerable; but neither of these I'M
fortunate chances would have harassed
him in ordinary health. While in Chi
cago he had telegram announcing the
death of his father and Fastening home.
on alighting from the cars at Elmo. he
learned of the death of his mother only
ten hours after that of his father The
funeral took place from his home and
at that time his mental condition was
such as to cause great alarm. After
that time he busted himself about his
usual duties and seemed somewhat bet
ter. He was very anxious to get his
hogs ready for market and last We'd
nesday morning he and his son-in-law,
w. I. Millman, shipped their hogs at
Elmo. At Mr. Richards request they
were shipped in Mr.. Millman's name.
so that the draft would be payable to
him, saving trouble and delay in col
lecting it in the event of Mr.. Richards
death, which however was not alluded
to by him and not suspected by the
family. He returned home, and after
eating dinner drove again to Elmo and
made some purchases which he brought
back with him soon. About three
o'clock he went into the house and took
down his double-barrel gun. His
daughter, Mrs. Millman, became
alarmed at this, but in response to her
inquiry in regard to it. he allayed her
fears somewhat by saying that he was
going to shoot a prairie chicken that he
saw back IF the orchard. Not satisfied,
however, she followed him and as she
approached the orchard she made
noise to attract her fathers attention
should he be there. Mr.. Richards heard
her and came out from behind hay
stack with his gun in his hand He
walked back with her and removed
cartridge from the gun which is a mod
ern breech loader. As they approached
the house he said he thought he would
clean the gun and he passed on down
to his work shop about fifty yards from
the house. A moment later, those in
the house heard the report OF the gun
and Fastening to the spot found that
their worst fears were realized. There
were no men on the place at the time.
and Mrs. Millman mounted horse and
hurried to Mr.. Gilbert Chappell's about
a quarter of a mile distant with the ter
rible intelligence, to find assistance.
Mr.. Chsppell mounted the horse and
galloped to Elmo. and soon a number
of men reached the scene of the tragedy
The death had been instantaneous as
the unfortunate man had placed the
muzzle of the gun in his mouth aud
moved the trigger, probably with a
stick by pressing upon it.
Mr. Richards leaves wife. three sons
and four daughters, toward whom, in
their great bereavement, the sympathy
of the entire community goes out.
Mr. Richards was SO years old in
January and came with his parents 10
| Elk Grove in 1876.
The funeral took place last Saturday
at , o'clock L. NJ. at the house and was
attended by many friend. from all the
neighhoriug towns.
Two Lectures.